Tennessee Expands Career Education in November
The state Department of Education is marking Career Development Month while recognizing career and technical education programs that build in-demand skills.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating Career Development Month in November and recognizing career and technical education (CTE) programs that equip students with high-skill, in-demand career skills. The department will also recognize Early Postsecondary Opportunity Week, Nov. 9-13.
Why it matters
The state is highlighting CTE as a way to prepare students for an evolving economy through industry-aligned credentials, early college coursework, career coaching and hands-on experience. Local districts are expanding these options for students across the state.
Work-Based Learning course enrollments in Tennessee reached 61,544 in the 2025-26 school year, up from 53,186 the year before, according to state figures. The source does not address whether this growth will continue in future school years.
The players
Tennessee Department of Education
The state agency that oversees public K-12 education in Tennessee and runs the state's career and technical education initiatives.
Gov. Bill Lee
The Governor of Tennessee who issued the proclamation recognizing Career Development Month.
The details
Tennessee CTE reached new milestones in the 2025-26 school year, and Gov. Bill Lee issued a proclamation recognizing Career Development Month. In Greene County, Greeneville City Schools offers high school CTE courses at Greeneville High School and Greeneville Career & Technical Academy on Hal Henard Road, while Greene County Schools added two new CTE programs at Chuckey-Doak and West Greene high schools.
Timeline
2025-26 school year: Tennessee CTE milestones reached and Work-Based Learning enrollment rose to 61,544.
November 2026: Career Development Month celebrated statewide.
Nov. 9-13, 2026: Early Postsecondary Opportunity Week recognized.
Culture Shift
The state is pursuing four named strategic initiatives, including Work-Based Learning, to align high school coursework with credentials students can use after graduation. Work-Based Learning enrollment rising to 61,544 this year extends that effort into hands-on, employer-connected experiences.
Students at Greeneville High School, Greeneville Career & Technical Academy, Chuckey-Doak High School and West Greene High School can take CTE courses, and students from all four Greene County high schools can access the new programs at Chuckey-Doak and West Greene. Families in these districts can review available course options with school counselors.
The takeaway
Students interested in career pathways can ask their school counselors about CTE courses, Work-Based Learning placements and early postsecondary opportunities available in their district. Checking local high school course catalogs is a practical first step.
Further reading
For more on how schools are structuring these pathways, explore Secondary Education coverage.
More information
Learn more about available pathways on the Tennessee state CTE program information page.
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